Top 10 Biggest Cruise Ships in the World 2024

Table Of Content

• Arvia (P&O Cruises)
• FAQ on Largest Cruise Ships
• There are more dining venues onboard Icon of the Seas than any other ship in the fleet
• A look inside the Icon of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship, as it prepares for voyage
• Royal Caribbean Is Launching the World's Largest Cruise Ship in 2024—See Inside
• Cruises
• Construction is now under way on the Royal Caribbean megaship which will have a capacity of nearly 10,000 travellers

To avoid any surprises when you get on the ship, however, it is important that you understand what is and isn't included. Onboard, guests will find the largest waterpark and ice rink at sea, new neighborhoods to explore, the cruise line's first-ever food hall, and so much more. The vessel is different from other large ships in the cruise industry and boasts features like the Zipline and the AquaTheater. Harmony of the Seas was the first in the class to feature the 10-Story Ultimate Abyss slide, which is located aft of the ship above the AquaTheater. The slide has since been a major feature on new Oasis-class vessels and added during refurbishments. The Hideaway neighborhood will boast an industry first with its fully-suspended infinity pool.

I Was Among the First To Sail On The World's Biggest Cruise Ship—And Here's What I Thought - Southern Living

I Was Among the First To Sail On The World's Biggest Cruise Ship—And Here's What I Thought.

Posted: Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Arvia (P&O Cruises)

We look at the top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world by gross tonnage. It's a city at sea, accommodating up to 7,600 passengers in 2,805 staterooms and nearly 10,000 people, including the crew. The ship offers different experiences that include seven pools — one is the largest on any ship — the world's first onboard water park with six water slides, theaters, a casino and over 40 dining and drinking spots.

FAQ on Largest Cruise Ships

The Costa Smeralda is the biggest ship in the Costa Cruises fleet, and she is built to the same template as Arvia – after all, Costa Cruises and P&O Cruises all fall under the umbrella of the Carnival Corporation. Arvia sails around the Mediterranean and offers longer sailings to the Caribbean. Oasis of the Seas sails from Fort Lauderdale and Miami in Florida during the winter season, including Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries. Symphony of the Seas offers similar itineraries to Wonder of the Seas, but she is based out of Miami during the winter months and Barcelona in the summer. Carnival Celebration will mostly sail to Eastern Caribbean destinations such as St. Thomas, San Juan and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic.

There are more dining venues onboard Icon of the Seas than any other ship in the fleet

She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer. Nearly every sailing will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas. It's powered by liquefied natural gas, treats its own waste, and produces its own water. A weeklong Caribbean cruise costs about $3,500 for two people in an average stateroom. For those seeking more luxury, the Ultimate Family Townhouse – a three-story suite complete with touchscreen tables and a slide – can go for up to $100,000 per trip. The Royal Loft, aimed at high-rolling adults, offers two bedrooms, a private hot tub, and a spacious balcony starting at $40,000.

Dining on ‘Icon of the Seas’

Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas was previously the world’s largest cruise ship in most of 2023. The Oasis class vessel is 236,857 gross tons and has a passenger capacity of 5,734 at double occupancy, but that goes up to 7,084 at maximum capacity. The giant cruise ship also has a crew capacity of 2,204, and there are a total of 18 decks. The crown of the world’s biggest cruise ship previously went to Wonder of the Seas, an Oasis-class vessel operated by Royal Caribbean. The ship is similar in design to her sister ships but adds some additional features and evolves the class. Wonder of the Seas is a massive 236,857 gross tons with a guest capacity of 5,734 at double occupancy.

A look inside the Icon of the Seas, the world's biggest cruise ship, as it prepares for voyage

Ceylan Yeginsu, a reporter for the Travel section, tries out a ride in the sprawling water park on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas cruise ship.Credit... Costa Smeralda is the cruise line’s first-ever cruise ship powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). She’s also the largest vessel ever constructed for the Italian-based cruise operator.

The giant ship that Meyer Turku built in Finland can also hold 2,350 crew members. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas became the new world’s largest cruise ship when she was delivered to the cruise line in November 2023, at a massive 250,800 gross tons and a length of 1,198 feet. The LNG-powered vessel will also have a guest capacity of 5,610 at double occupancy, which can reach a maximum of 7,600. In 2019, The Royal Caribbean cruise ship underwent a massive $165 million upgrade, which did not just add new water slides, but also The Ultimate Abyss aft slide, new dining venues, and a refreshed look.

Cruises

Launching one year after her sister ship, Allure of the Seas was the second Oasis-class ship and at the time, she was marginally bigger. However, the 2019 revamp and expansion of Oasis of the Seas has dropped Allure by a single place. As a result, she is slightly more limited in her entertainment and dining scope, but it’s fine margins – she still has two FlowRiders for example, but she only has three pools. Symphony of the Seas is another Oasis-class ship, and she’s very similar to Wonder of the Seas in terms of on-board entertainment, dining choices and the iconic Central Park in the middle of the ship. Both ships have been designed around a central interior promenade with entertainment, shops and bars. All three vessels are among the most venue-filled in their respective fleets, with dozens of restaurants, bars, showrooms and over-the-top attractions on the decks.

Among the new neighborhoods is Chill Island, the ship’s new take on a pool deck. Chill Island will be located mid-ship across three decks and hold four of the ship’s seven pools, including the brand’s first-ever swim-up bar at sea. That’s certainly been the mantra for Miami based cruise line Royal Caribbean, who just announced their largest ship Icon of the Seas will officially enter service in 2024.

This voyage will signify the ship's completion, as the ship will officially be ready for regular service. From the cruise line's first-ever swim-up bar to the largest pool at sea, infinity-edge Cove and Cloud 17 Pools, Chill Island is, undoubtedly, going to be the best pool deck at sea. Whether you want to watch the ship pull into port or want clear views of the horizon while sipping on a cocktail, you will also find some of the best ocean views onboard here.

MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean are currently the only cruise brands in the world with ships measuring more than 200,000 tons. Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas will be the largest in the world when it takes to the ocean in 2024. It will claim the title from its sister vessel Wonder of the Seas, which had its maiden voyage from Florida to the Caribbean on March 4. The ship sets sail as Royal Caribbean’s cruises are having a moment online. Since December, the company’s 9-month “Ultimate World Cruise” has captivated — and confused — a following of avid watchers on social media.

Wonder of the Seas was the biggest cruise ship in the world until 2024, and the most recent of the Oasis-class ships to have launched. In the last few years, we’ve seen some amazing new ships launch, including many of the biggest cruise ships in the world. And that’s not changing – over the next few years even bigger ships are on the way.

It will sail roundtrip from Miami to the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas. She’s expected to sail the Caribbean from ports in America, so there will no doubt be some changes made to accommodate American guests. Expect beautiful artworks, thrilling children’s activities and the very latest in sustainability tech. In fact, her main difference is in the itineraries offered – while most are still in the Mediterranean, she also sails to the Middle East for cruises from Dubai. MSC World America will also have six pools and 14 hot tubs, making it one of the most pool-covered ships at sea. MSC World America and Icon of the Seas, in particular, have several similarities, including public area venues segmented into "districts," as MSC Cruises calls them.